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with boxcars. The Railroad Security Task Force vulnerability needs for such an accident (nuclear or chemical) have been and
assessment includes relative assessments of attack effective- are being considered by the rail industry.
ness on tunnels, bridges, track, and shipments. Concerns with Another instructional historical rail accident occurred in
shipment attacks may include theft of shipments for illegal 1979 near the town of Mississauga, Ontario. A railroad car
sale or use, releases and explosions of hazardous cargo (e.g., undercarriage failure caused a propane tank explosion fol-
chemicals or munitions), and contamination or poisoning of lowed by ruptures of cars containing chlorine and other
food shipments. This vulnerability assessment information is chemicals, resulting in an extremely hot and acrid fire. More
considered highly sensitive, along with the steps implemented than 210,000 residents were evacuated from the area. This
at each alert level and thus these details are not presented in accident is a model of the type of situation that can result
this report. when trains contain a mix of different types of cargo (as they
typically do). Some types of cargo can seriously diminish the
ability to respond. In this case, the presence of chlorine gas
3.3.8 Historical Emergency Actions prevented fire fighting personnel from being able to respond
for a significant amount of time.
Immediately after the terrorist attacks of September 11,
2001, the railroad industry worked closely with local, state,
and federal authorities to increase inspections and patrols, 3.3.9 System Summary Matrix
often with its own police forces. Freight traffic in the New
York area was briefly suspended and, throughout the coun- Table 3-22 summarizes railway operational sequences,
try, access to key facilities was restricted and operational traffic flow, and historical emergency responses. Table 3-23
practices were modified as antiterrorist measures. As clean- summarizes railway control options, operational limits, and
up efforts of the September 11 attacks began, gondola cars existing authorities.
were donated to assist with hauling debris. Other types of as-
sistance the rail industry has provided during emergencies in-
clude hauling needed supplies free of charge and increasing 3.4 THE AVIATION SYSTEM
on-duty staff to meet emergency shipment needs.
3.4.1 Definitions
At the start of U.S. military action in Afghanistan, in con-
sultation with federal security agencies, the railroad industry The aviation industry comprises aircraft; their operators;
maintained a 72-hour "Red Alert" status, with associated the people and goods transported; airports and supporting
additional security protocols. Shipments of hazardous mate- infrastructure; and the communications, navigation, and con-
rials were suspended during this alert, which provided expe- trol infrastructures that make reliable air transportation pos-
rience with the repercussions of shipment delays. AAR sible. The aviation industry consists of several major sectors,
coordination with the Chlorine Institute, the American or categories of operations, that have distinctly different roles
Chemistry Council, and the Fertilizer Institute has greatly in a threat environment. These sectors are
increased in recent years to improve both security and emer-
gency planning. Overall, since the terrorist attacks of Sep- · Air carriers, which transport people;
tember 11, the rail industry has made great strides to improve · Cargo carriers, which include air carriers in addition to
freight security and emergency planning in excess of gov- freight airlines;
ernment requirements. Historically, the rail industry has · The business use sector, which includes operators such
provided great assistance during emergencies. The industry's as mining companies, power transmission companies,
financial stability and related well-maintained infrastructure and oil exploration, charter aircraft, and individuals
facilitates this assistance. operating aircraft for business purposes;
Historical rail accidents have been studied and considered · The agricultural use sector (dusting and spraying); this
in the rail industry emergency plans. For example, in July sector is a sub-sector of business aircraft;
2001, a railroad accident inside the Howard Street tunnel in · The corporate transport sector, which includes many
Baltimore caused chemical tank cars and cars loaded with minor and major corporate fleets operated to transport
paper products to burn for 3 days. The accident was studied by employees;
the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) as a worst-case · The air taxi industry (transport on demand), which is
model of the type of accident that could befall a shipment or quite large and diverse;
nuclear waste by railroad. The conclusions were that nuclear · The public use sector, which includes Emergency
waste containers would have survived the fire, but these results Medical Services (EMS) operations, forest service and
have become highly controversial. This case is an example of forest fire suppression, law enforcement, and the
the type of situation (whether involving deliberate attack or of USCG air fleet; and
accidental origin) that could occur, whether nuclear materials · The pleasure flying sector.
are involved or not. The evacuation requirements and response (text continues on page 54)
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TABLE 3-22 Railway Operational Sequences, Traffic Flow, and Historical Emergency Response
Operational
Traffic Flow Historical Emergency Response
Sequences
Traffic Types Traffic Patterns Short Term (2 hr) Long Term (>2 hr)
Freight: Privately Normal: Mix of many cargo Normal Operations: Rail Suspend Transport: A 72- Same as short term and:
owned railway, types, typically for longer distance traffic greatest in larger hour suspension was applied Repair/ construct railway
locomotives, and freight transport; some hazardous cities. when the U.S. invasion of Increase deliveries to
cars. Shipments are materials and munitions. Emergencies: Deliveries of Afghanistan began. area in need
tracked from the Constraining Emergencies: emergency supplies and Reroute/Delay Deliveries: Dedicate equipment to
agreement to ship until Traffic may be reduced during provision of boxcars for Deliveries to the New York emergency assistance
delivery. severe weather (e.g., snow, evacuations. area were briefly halted as a Emergency Deliveries:
Passenger: Intercity hurricane). Traffic has been halted result of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Transported hay without
passenger travel for up to 72 hours under high-level charge during droughts,
exclusively by Amtrak security alerts. donated gondola cars for
(federally owned), Expanding Emergencies: 9/11 debris removal.
commuter, and within- Delivery of emergency supplies
city passenger transport and use for evacuations.
addressed under Mass
Transit.
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TABLE 3-23 Railway Control Options, Operational Limits, and Existing Authority
Control Options Operational Limits Existing Authority
Short Term (2 hr) Long Term (>2 hr) Short Term (2 hr) Long Term (>2 hr) Options
Suspend Transport: Same as short term and: Suspend Same as short term and: Suspend Transport--industry
apply to all or selected Repair/construct Transport--public health Repair/construct Reroute/Delay deliveries--industry
freight. railway dangers with suspensions railway--financing, need Emergency deliveries--industry
Reroute/Delay Increase deliveries to of 3+ days for water land ownership for new Repair/construct railway--industry,
Deliveries: halt area in need treatment shipments; construction. local and state government
deliveries to emergency Dedicate equipment stationary hazardous cargo Increase deliveries to area Increase deliveries to area in
areas. to emergency may be an easier target. in need--equipment and need--industry
Emergency Deliveries: assistance Reroute/Delay personnel limits. Dedicate equipment to emergency
deliver emergency Deliveries--deliveries Dedicate emergency assistance--industry
supplies. essential for public health equipment--equipment
may be critically delayed. limits
Emergency Fuel Access--reduced or
Deliveries--limited by rail suspended deliveries of
track location, equipment, fuel may limit operations.
personnel.
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